Fecal Microbiota and Diet of Children with Chronic Constipation.

Joyce Gomes De Moraes,Maria Eugênia Farias De Almeida Motta,Monique Ferraz De Sá Beltrão,Taciana Lima Salviano,Giselia Alves Pontes Da Silva

doi:10.1155/2016/6787269

Joyce Gomes De Moraes, Maria Eugênia Farias De Almeida Motta + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6787269

Copy DOI

Abstract

Many factors explain dysbiosis in chronic constipation (CC), such as a low-fiber diet. The objective of this study was to compare the fecal microbiota of constipated and nonconstipated children and their intake frequencies of food. Methods. This observational study included 79 children (M/F 43/36) aged six to 36 months divided into two groups: cases (39 constipated children) and controls (40 nonconstipated children). We used a structured form to collect demographic variables, conducted anthropometric assessment, and collected food intake frequency data. The fecal microbiota of the stool samples was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the fluorophore SYBR® Green. Results. Constipated children had a smaller concentration of Lactobacillus per milligram of stool (p = 0.015) than nonconstipated children, but the concentration of Bifidobacterium per milligram of stool (p = 0.323) and the intake of fruits, vegetables (p = 0.563), and junk food (p = 0.093) of the two groups did not differ. Constipated children consumed more dairy products (0.45 ± 0.8; p > 0.001), were more frequently delivered via caesarean section (69.2%), were weaned earlier (median: 120; 60Q1–240Q3), and had a family history of constipation (71.8%). Conclusions. Children with CC have a smaller concentration of Lactobacillus in their stools and consume more dairy products.

Highlights

Chronic constipation (CC) is frequent in children and corresponds to approximately 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterology offices [1]
Diet is critical among factors capable of modulating the intestinal microbiota [9,10,11] because saccharolytic bacteria, such as those from the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, ferment fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), reducing intestinal pH and increasing intestinal motility [12,13,14,15]
Researchers suggest a beneficial effect of the use of probiotics in the management of constipation, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium [18,19,20] what motivated us to conduct this study and we decided to compare the amount of bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the fecal microbiota of constipated and nonconstipated children using SYBR Green analysis and investigate the children’s intake of fruits, vegetables, junk food, and dairy products

Summary

Introduction

Chronic constipation (CC) is frequent in children and corresponds to approximately 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterology offices [1]. Studies suggest that chronically constipated children have different intestinal microbiota [5, 6] and that factors such as caesarean birth, early weaning, and low-fiber diets hinder intestinal colonization by healthy microorganisms [7, 8]. It is possible that there is altered intestinal microbiota in patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases repercussions on intestinal motility [16,17,18] Based on this hypothesis, researchers suggest a beneficial effect of the use of probiotics in the management of constipation, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium [18,19,20] what motivated us to conduct this study and we decided to compare the amount of bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the fecal microbiota of constipated and nonconstipated children using SYBR Green analysis and investigate the children’s intake of fruits, vegetables, junk food, and dairy products

Objectives

Methods

Results